In this piece, I highlight wide receivers who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Top NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are two wide receivers near the top of the Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Stefon Diggs
- Mack Hollins
We’ll discuss why these are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other wide receivers.
Top Model NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Stefon Diggs ($7,700 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel): Buffalo Bills (-5.5) at Miami Dolphins (51.5 total)
The top target in Buffalo’s offense has erupted to start the 2022 season. Diggs has racked up 77 DraftKings points through two contests to start the season. He has 24 targets and 170 receiving yards on the year. He’s also reached paydirt four times, already 40% to reaching his 2021 total.
Diggs is probably due for some regression, as it’s unsustainable to expect him to continuously average 38.5 DraftKings points per game. His regression may be more due to his catch rate, as he’s due for some negative regression in that department. His catch rate is up at 87% on the year, where he was at 62.3% in 2021 and 76.5% in 2020.
Regression notes aside, Diggs is Allen’s main target, and we’ve seen these QB-WR relationships lead to consistent production week in and week out. Take Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers for example. After a few years together, they started to think the same way and read opposing defenses the same way. We could be seeing beautiful chemistry develop in Buffalo as we did in Green Bay.
Diggs’ role is elite, and he’s a super talented player.
He leads both of our Pro Models, as well as our Cash Game and Tournament Model on DraftKings. Diggs looks like a smash play once again.
Mack Hollins ($3,300 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel):Las Vegas Raiders (-2) at Tennessee Titans (51.5 total)
Las Vegas’ big offseason addition at the wide receiver position is clearly starting to pay off. Davante Adams? Oh no. We’re talking about Mack Hollins. Hollins has had an every-down role across from Adams to start the season and had a big eight-target game last week against Arizona. Hollins hauled in five balls for 66 yards.
With Hunter Renfrow set to miss this week’s matchup, Hollins could see a target uptick, as he’s clearly a guy that Derek Carr has faith in. Hollins also was targeted on a ball deep down the field, which led to a 47-yard pass interference penalty. Hollins can operate all over the field, giving him many avenues to rack up fantasy points.
Tennessee got mauled by opposing wide receivers in 2021, giving up 20+ DraftKings points to 11 different receivers. They gave up the 2nd-most DraftKings points to wide receivers in 2021 as well as 2020. With what little resources Tennessee has on defense trying to desperately cover Davante Adams, Hollins should see easier matchups against a weak secondary in general.
Hollins ranks very highly in our Pro Models as well as our Cash Game and Tournament Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Justin Jefferson ($9,300 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel): Minnesota Vikings (-6) vs. Detroit Lions (52.5 total)
After a Week 1 eruption, Justin Jefferson was held in check in Week 2 against Philadelphia. Jefferson had 12 targets against the Eagles but was only able to haul in six catches for 48 yards. Despite the down Week 2, Jefferson now has 53.2 DraftKings points through two games. He has a 29.5% target share and possesses one of the highest ceilings in the league.
Detroit has given up the eighth-most DraftKings points to opposing wide receivers on the year. They’ve given up some ceiling performances as well, giving up five games of 28.5+ DraftKings points dating back to the beginning of last season. This game has one of the highest totals of the week and features two offenses that have proven they can score points.
Jefferson’s high price tag will keep his ownership in check, making him a solid tournament target.
Ja’Marr Chase ($8,100 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (-6) at New York Jets (45 total)
Ja’Marr Chase has basically picked up right where he left off, despite the Bengals falling to an 0-2 record. Chase put up a monster 31.9 DraftKings points in Week 1 and then cooled off with a 10.8-point performance in Week 2. Chase has 25 targets through two weeks and is playing on nearly 100% of snaps for the Bengals. The Jets are middle-of-the-pack against opposing wide receivers but definitely don’t possess a defense that instills fear in opponents.
Since the start of 2021, four receivers have topped 20+ DraftKings points against the Jets, with Devin Duvernay doing so most recently in Week 1. Chase possesses one of the highest ceilings on the slate and will come in with depressed ownership this week. The Jets may not be the complete pushover that we’re used to, but they’re still a very beatable matchup.
Chase makes a lot of sense this weekend.
Jaylen Waddle ($6,800 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel): Miami Dolphins (-1.5) vs. Buffalo Bills (53 total)
Mount St. Waddle had an absolute volcanic eruption in Week 2. Waddle saw 19 targets, catching 11 balls and scampering for 171 yards and two touchdowns en route to 43.1 DraftKings points. His DraftKings salary is now a career-high, and we’ll likely see a higher number as Waddle, and Tua Tagovailoa start to build up even more chemistry in the new offense under Mike McDaniel. Waddle has been dominating after the catch, and we expect that to continue.
The matchup has gotten easier for Miami, as safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, as well as cornerback Dane Jackson and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, missed a bunch of practice time. Phillips, Hyde, and Jackson are all out for Sunday’s contest, and Poyer is questionable. This appears to be one of the most exciting game environments of the weekend, and we just saw Waddle have a field day in another shootout environment.
Go back to the well with Waddle this week.
Romeo Doubs ($3,800 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel): Green Bay Packers (+1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (42 total)
The Packers’ wide receiver corps is ravaged, with Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson, and Sammy Watkins all missing time in practice this week. Watkins is already ruled out, while Cobb is questionable for Sunday. Watson and Lazard appear good to go, along with Romeo Doubs for this weekend’s contest.
Doubs saw a lot of work in practice this week with all the injuries, and head coach Matt Lafleur said that Doubs will need to be prepared to play a bigger role in the offense.
Any wide receiver that is going to play a boatload of snaps with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback is an appealing target, and it appears Doubs fits the bill this week.
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